This morning we commemorated Veterans Day and honored America’s servicemen and women with a special breakfast event at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, our newest destination. Retired General Stanley McChrystal, who this week was appointed to our Board of Directors, offered keynote remarks to the audience of more than 100 veterans and dignitaries. In addition to our salute to our military personnel in Washington, we’re also pleased to announce a one-day promotion to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project from select tickets purchased today on www.jetblue.com.

As part of our tribute to Veterans Day, we will donate $1 per booking for reservations made on www.jetblue.com today, up to $25,000, to the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and their transition to civilian life. This offer is valid only for Customers who reside in CA, NY, FL, DC, MD, TX and VA and is valid for bookings made on November 11 on www.jetblue.com only.

Women have historically been underrepresented in the field of aviation. Currently only 4% of commercial pilots are women. While we’re proud that our own representative number of female pilots is higher at 5+%, we know there’s a lot of room to increase the representation of women in the cockpit. JetBlue regularly sponsors the Women in Aviation organization and is well represented at their events. Recognizing the importance of getting children involved in aviation early on, we recently formed the JetBlue Foundation to help bridge this gap. We also know how much children seeing and learning from representative pilots, so with that in mind, we’d like to present you with just one notable flight pairing we saw on the line recently.

JetBlue pilots Pia and Anna-Maria Kymalainen grew up in an aviation family in Finland. With their father in aeronautical engineering and an older brother following in their father’s footsteps, the aspiration of flight was always close to home. Both sisters began their own careers flying corporate jets before finding their place here at JetBlue – Pia as an A320 Captain and Anna-Maria as First Officer.

It was a long time goal for both sisters to fly together and that dream recently came true. The women recently operated flight 1480 from FLL to DCA making them the first ever sister-sister flight crew at JetBlue!

Pia began her aviation career flying freight and corporate jets before joining JetBlue nine years ago. While, Anna-Maria followed her big sister’s lead and also began flying corporate jets seven years ago until finding her home at JetBlue three years ago.

We love to see women like Pia and Anna-Maria showing young women that there are opportunities for them across all aspects of the aviation industry, and are proud of the work the JetBlue Foundation does in working to increase the number of women in the pilot ranks. In 2013, we created the JetBlue Foundation as a way to encourage and advance careers in aviation, specifically among underserved communities including women. The JetBlue Foundation provides learning opportunities for underserved groups by working hand-in-hand with local and national education institutions that support and foster aviation-related programs. On December 17, the JetBlue Foundation will host its second annual grant presentations for programs focused on encouraging aviation careers among women, people of color, veterans and other underserved groups. For more information on the JetBlue Foundation, visit www.jetblue.com/InspiringHumanity.

Today we’re thrilled to announce our newest custom livery, one that is very close to our hearts as we celebrate our veterans this week, Vets in Blue.

Vets in Blue joins our fleet this week with a dedicated charter flight from New York to Washington, DC with current and former members of the United States Armed Forces spanning several generations. The first “Vets in Blue” flight also included JetBlue crewmembers who are veterans of military service, including the first two pilots in the cockpit and the four inflight crewmembers.

“Vets in Blue” is the latest addition to JetBlue’s exclusive legion of partnership aircraft celebrating organizations and causes, including “Blue Bravest,” which raises awareness for the FDNY Foundation, and “I Love New York,” highlighting New York State Tourism.

Customers are encouraged to keep an eye out for a first glimpse of “Vets in Blue” as it travels to destinations including Boston, New York and Washington, DC. To assist avid plane-spotters, or veteran supporters, the currently scheduled flights* of tail number n775JB “Vets in Blue” is as follows:

A few months ago, we provided travel for Team Rubicon, a national organization of military veterans and first responders who provide relief during crises. Team Rubican recently put together a summary of their Sandy relief efforts and we’re highlighted for providing more than 150 free flights for Team Rubicon volunteers.

The organization was founded in 2010 and volunteers have been deployed to all over the world, as well as locally in Vermont, Marlyand, Missouri, and Alabama. Part disaster relief, part veteran-focused, this unique group’s mission is to help returning service members find a place in society by helping those in need.

The following letter was written to use on behalf on Mr. Walsh, a Navy veteran who returns to air travel for the first time in years after the passing of his wife:

William and Bette Walsh, both Navy veterans, married, eventually had five kids, and spent the rest of their lives living the “American Dream” and working very hard along the way. Mr. & Mrs. Walsh were blessed to enjoy family vacations together going to the Cape visiting family and friends, not to mention traveling all over to enjoy their life’s hard work.

Cut to Mrs. Walsh getting sick, very very sick. After the kids were grown while Mr. & Mrs. Walsh were ready to embark on what should have been their “happiest times.”

Mr. Walsh never wavered. The man NEVER complained. Never did the “poor me, pity me, I have to care for my wife who is gravely, chronically ill”. He took his love and his vows to heart; unlike most; and NEVER let her feel for one moment she wasn’t STILL the beautiful Navy bride he fell in love with and cared for. A prince among men.

After a long and hard struggle, Mrs. Walsh recently passed on. With her kids by her side, with her steadfast, healthy husband, by her side. She was surrounded by love and left this world knowing she was loved. Most of all, by Mr. William Walsh. The love of her life and the father of her five children.

They would have been married 59 years this year. Mr. Walsh is mourning the loss of his love, Mrs. Walsh, at the same time attempting his celebrating the new beginnings in his family’s life. And he’s not familiar with the “ways of the world” these days. Having not traveled for so many years while caring for his sick wife.

Despite the fact that Mr. Walsh had not traveled in many, many, many years and was unaware of all the TSA requirements and “new” traveling requirements, he was persuaded to accept an invitation to travel. Here’s where your wonderful staff come in to play……

Mr. Walsh, feeling unsure and uncomfortable about the “new” traveling requirements, while being a healthy man in his late 70′s, he took it upon himself to do a “trial run” by driving up from Vero Beach, Florida to Orlando, Florida. Your agent, upon hearing Mr. Walsh’s explanation, took it upon themselves to “walk” him through the entire process. From the check-in, to the TSA, to EVERY aspect he might feel uncomfortable about. Your agent went above and beyond to “hear” his concerns and “feel” the need for compassion. I was FLOORED. You only hear about the “bad” experiences people have, right? Well, I was moved to tears at the compassion my best friend’s father was given. He deserved it; he needed it; he appreciated it. Plain and simple. Thank you.

I want to help my best friend’s dad, my friend, know that he matters and his love and compassion is shared by a “huge” company such as JetBlue. And, at the same time I want to say “thank you” for being so benevolent via having your employees be so compassionate to a grieving man embark on his life’s last endeavors. Thank you.

The JFK Blue Network Color Guard was formed just last month and is comprised of seven of our crewmembers who work at our home at New York’s JFK who either have served or currently serve in the military. These crewmembers come together on national days of observance, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day to pay tribute to those who serve our country and demonstrate their passion for the military.

This past Memorial Day was the first ever tribute for the group, who gathered at our terminal at JFK T5 to salute those who died in military service. Keep a lookout for JFK Blue Network Color Guard on July 4!

We recognize May as National Military Appreciation Month and extend a heartfelt thank you to the countless crewmembers, customers, and others who are current and former service members.

The idea for National Military Appreciation Month was created by a group of volunteers who wanted to build public patriotism, awareness, and support for our troops and veterans. Why May? There are already a few military-related holidays during the month (e.g. Loyalty Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Memorial Day, etc.). In 1999, Congress made it official and designated May as National Military Appreciation Month.

To show a little love for our country’s veterans this Valentine’s Day, our Ready Team, made up of JetBlue crewmembers who volunteer to work with the American Red Cross in its response to major disasters, hosted two “Create Cards for Soldiers” events. Crewmembers came together to create more than 500 Valentine’s Day cards and sweet treats! The team sent the finished products to the United War Veterans’ Council, which hand-delivered them to West Point, local VA hospitals throughout New York, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Their local volunteer efforts include the American Red Cross Metro Area Drill; September 11 Memorial; ING NYC Marathon; Veterans Day parade. The team has grown to nearly 500 crewmembers, composed of volunteers from all over our network.

On December 1, the American Red Cross in Greater New York presented us with the “Corporate Community Partnership Award”! Congratulations to our Ready Team and thanks for all that you do to help those in need!